N C East Premier DivSat. 27 Nov 2004

GLASSHOUGHTON WELFARE 1 LONG
EATON UNITED1

WELFARE’S INABILITY TO DELIVER THE SUCKER PUNCH AND FINISH
OPPONENTS OFF CONTINUED AT LEEDS ROAD, A SERIES OF GOAL OPPORTUNITIES BEING SPURNED, FROM WHICH THE POINTS COULD HAVE BEEN
GAINED COMFORTABLY.

Although Welfare welcomed Paul Mattison back the home defence looked
decidedly jittery early on and it was United who made the early running with striker Carl Cunningham going close and it was
all of fifteen minutes before Welfare posed a real threat when Lee Parker drove wide.Karl Codd flicked over a good effort from Long Eaton’s Lee Aldred before Welfare began to turn the tables and
come more in to the game.

On 25 minutes Jason Bradley received from Parker to be presented
with the best of opportunities but the striker required one touch too many and was denied and then a linesman’s flag
intervened when the home men looked certain to score.

After the interval United again started the stronger but it was soon
Welfare who took charge of the game and after a number of chances had been missed Bradley picked up from a defensive error
to feed Lee Parker who clinically fired home to open the scoring in the 61st minute.Welfare were repeatedly opening up the visitors rearguard and Parker was desperately unlucky to see a low
shot beat custodian Ross Whalin only to strike the foot of an upright and roll to safety.Welfare were then indebted to their own keeper Karl Codd making a brilliant low save from David Wilkinson before Parker
missed the chance of the afternoon when being picked out by Bradley, attempting to side foot past Whalin from close range,
and ultimately allowing the keeper to recover and save.In the closing stages
United came forward with all guns blazing and Welfare paid the price of the unconverted opportunities when an overhead kick
by Craig Weston found the net in the closing minutes and Welfare almost suffered the indignity of surrendering full points
as in time added on United substitute Kevin Mabon found time to pick his spot and beat Codd only to see his effort glance
awayfrom the foot of the upright.